Meet Jae.
She has a killer apothecary line, and her startup story is awesome. So are her scented candles and deodorant. Read on to find out why she doesn’t mind staying up till 4 in the morning.
How did you get started?
I started in the Fall of 2014 out of my home, well, my laundry room to be exact. I had a set of white metal shelving from ikea shoved in a corner next to our ironing board. I started making soap that summer and instantly fell in love with the process and challenge. I had to learn very quickly to respect chemistry, and have patience. I shared my products with friends and neighbors and quickly started selling out. I decided to sign up to be a seasonal vendor at our local farmers market, and then a few weeks later I scored my first wholesale account with Round Rock Honey.
Where in Austin do you go for inspiration?
I was a stay at home mother of 2 when I started Benjamin Soap Co. and found so much inspiration in my children, and in our day to day activities and interactions. One of the first products that we made was our solid lotion bar, and it was inspired because I was tired of carrying a diaper bag around full of various creams, ointments, salves etc. that I started to think about a way to make a product that could moisturize your skin on the go, but also be used as an ointment, or as diaper cream. Our lotion bar was born, and it’s one of our best selling products to this day.
Who are your favorite Austin artists/makers?
So many at the moment, but here are few of my favorites: Karacotta Ceramics, Bob Trevorrow, Mindy’s Bakeshop, Feathers + Frosting, K Johnson Jewelry, and Little City Coffee.
What do you love about this city?
I love the maker community that resides here. The support that small businesses like mine receive from the community and other artists and makers is humbling and I’m so grateful to live in a city that truly embraces entrepreneurs. I love the diversity, the lakes and trails and most of all the tacos!
What drives your creative process?
I love what a do. Not just being a maker, but the process of dreaming up the next product, or blend of oils to make the next best seller.
I spend so much of my day in our studio, and I’m driven by my customers. The loyalty that they display, and the never ending support from them drives me in every aspect of my business. My goal is for our customers to have an unforgettable experience when they use our products, and to evolve the brand in way that they keep coming back for more.
What’s the toughest part of your work?
Finding a balance between work and home life. I think every maker or business owner struggles with that, and I’m fortunate enough to have a job that I love. Every minute of it. Even when I’m in the studio until 3 or 4 in the morning pouring candles, trying to fill orders when my body is telling me stop, rest, take a break. I love it. I create something.
What advice would you give someone just starting out in your line of work?
Take the time to write out a business plan, where you see yourself in 1 year, 5 years, and make sure you truly love what you are doing. Business is hard. There are ups, and there are downs. There are times when you want to give up but you have to remind yourself why you started and focus on that. Expect to fail. No one is perfect, and you will fail. And if you’re really good at what you do, you fail again, but learn from that, don’t make the same mistake twice. Ask for help. You can’t do it alone, I learned that the hard way and I wish I had asked for help when it was offered. Trust your gut and never settle!
Thanks Jae! Find more from Jae and Benjamin Soap Co on the website and Instagram.